MedievalStudies09

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Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

W i l f r i d L a u r i e r U n i v e r s i t y

75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: [email protected]

www.chooselaurier.caC E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S I N 2 0 1 1

While every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate at time of printing, the information contained herein is subject to change without notice.

MedievaL StudieS

the analysis of cultural materials from the Middle ages.

The medieval period (about 500 to 1500 AD) is a fascinating time in

the history of Western civilization. It was a time that saw the creation of soaring cathedrals, glittering illuminations and imposing sculptures that continue to capture our imagination. It was a time when a young peasant girl could persuade the king that she should lead the nation’s armies because she had had a vision. It was in this period that significant areas of our modern culture were born, including universities and our legal system. The medieval world survives in our popular culture, in books and films such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, in video games, fashion, fantasy narratives, and various arts and crafts.

Medieval Studies is a broad category of study that analyzes cultural materials from the Middle Ages. These cultural materials can include myths, philosophy, history, heroic stories, theology, war and military history, fine arts, language, manuscripts, literature, politics, music, economics, calligraphy, urban studies, architecture, gender studies, and many other areas and disciplines. Medieval Studies at Laurier also includes medievalism or representa-tions of medieval culture in post-medieval eras such as the 19th and 20th centuries.

a multidisciplinary perspectiveThe Medieval Studies program at Laurier is strongly interdisciplinary, drawing on the expertise and research of professors from a variety of departments and faculties, including Music, History, English and Film Studies, Languages & Literatures, Religion & Culture, Archaeology and Classical Studies.

This breadth of expertise gives students the opportunity to explore from a multi-disciplinary perspective the rich and

complex civilization of the Middle Ages in terms of the medieval past and as a legacy of our modern culture. You can pursue a background in traditional Medieval Studies (through the study, for example, of Latin, medieval music, medieval Christianity or Arthurian romance) or focus on today’s fascination with medieval stories and images through areas such as Tolkien and fantasy literature or medieval culture as it is expressed in popular music and art. You can also combine these two fields.

Laurier offers Medieval Studies as an honours (four-year) program in combi-nation with another honours program such as History, English or Classics, or as a minor alongside a major in another program.

Medieval Studies at Laurier

adMiSSion inforMationfor the most up-to-date information about

admission to Laurier, go to www.wlu.ca/admissions.

Christine Girardi has always adored learning about the past, particularly the medieval period. So it comes as no surprise that she decided to focus her studies on her favorite era in history when she came to Laurier.

“The medieval period appealed to me more than others because Laurier offers the

opportunity to study it from many different points of view, not only from a historian’s, but also from a philosopher’s and musician’s.”

Aside from finding the right program to reflect her interests, Girardi chose Laurier because of the sense of community on campus and its smaller size.

“I wanted a more personal educational experience, where my professors know my name and face,” she says.

Girardi is co-president of the Medieval Students’ Society and was a member of the Student Arts Council. After graduating, Girardi hopes to complete her Master’s

degree in Museum Studies or Medieval Studies with dreams of one day becoming an educational coordinator at a museum.

I wanted a more personal educational experience, where my professors know my name and face.

the administration optionHonours arts students are also eligible for the Administration Option. This option will give you fundamental training in key areas of business such as business organization, accounting, marketing, management skills, operations and the fundamentals of finance, macroeconomics and microeconomics, interpersonal communications, business law, personal finance and business management.

The Administration Option totals eight half-credit courses, seven required and one elective. These credits are usually included in the 20 credits you require for

your degree. Normally, students register for the Administration Option during first or second year. Entry into this option is competitive and students must maintain a grade point average of 7.0 (B-) in all Administration Option courses to graduate.

For more information, visit www.wlu.ca/calendars.

ancient Languages optionThe Ancient Languages Option is open to all honours students who have achieved a minimum GPA of 7.0 (B-) in at least 1.0 credit in ancient languages (Greek, Latin or Semitic). Enrolment occurs in second year.

Muslim Studies optionThe Muslim Studies Option offers the oppor-tunity to study the historical, philosophical and theological development of Islamic thought and traditions as well as contem-porary sociological, political and cultural contexts of lived Muslim experiences.

Options to enhance your degree

The influence of the Middle Ages on contemporary music and popular culture is one of the interests of Laurier music historian Dr. Kirsten Yri. “The popular music world has seen an increasing number of bands that either use medieval texts, sample recordings of medieval music, or compose music that sounds like it dates from the medieval period,” she says.

“Heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath and progressive rock bands like Gentle Giant and Genesis have borrowed medieval modes and medieval imagery,” she says. Medieval music, especially chant, is often sampled in electronic and techno music, reinterpreted by contemporary composers such as John Tavener and Arvo Part, and is being composed anew by artists such as Dead Can Dance and the Medieval Bæbes.

“Medievalism is topical,” Yri says. “Each medieval return is fashioned to suit contemporary needs and tells us more about ourselves than it does about our past.”

Heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath ... have borrowed medieval modes and

medieval imagery.

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Part-Time, Distance & Continuing Education

75 University Avenue West | Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3C5Tel: (519) 884-0710 ext. 3385 | Fax: (519) 747-2106 | Email: [email protected]

www.chooselaurier.caC E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 Y E A R S I N 2 0 1 1

While every effort has been made to ensure this publication is accurate at time of printing, the information contained herein is subject to change without notice. LIAS

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Sample courses offered Old English Language and Literature

Tolkien and Fantasy

Medieval Culture in Popular Art and Music

Representations of Women in Medieval Art

Discovering the Middle Ages

Privilege and Practice

The Church and its Impact (Life and Culture)

The High Middle Ages

Christianity and Culture: Early to Pre-Modern

Jews, “Witches” and Heretics

A Survey of Medieval Latin Poetry and Prose

Medieval Studies and your futureA university degree in any discipline will open doors for you. No matter what you study, your degree confirms that you know how to think critically, communicate effectively and have the ability to analyze a wealth of material and extract what you need from it. These are skills that are valued by any employer.

More than 30 percent of Ontario university students are enrolled in an arts program, and the most recent Ontario University Graduate Survey indicates that 90 percent of Ontario arts graduates are employed within six months of graduation. A degree in Medieval Studies can lead to graduate studies

in the same field, or can be used for entry into professional areas of study such as law, business, journalism or education.

Support for gradsAt Laurier, support for our students doesn’t end when we hand them their degree. Our Career Development Centre continues to offer career decision-making, career management and job search services to all our alumni for a lifetime. Alumni are also encouraged to attend workshops and programs offered through the centre, including the largest career fairs and job fairs of their kind in the country, which Laurier co-sponsors.

Your future starts here

Laurier will celebrate its 100th anniversary as an institution in 2011.

100 yearS